The Department of Homeland Security has announced a simple system to replace the color-coded public warning codes adopted shortly after September 11th. There will be only two warning levels - "Imminent Threat Alert" and "Elevated Threat Alert".
"Imminent Threat" is defined as "a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States".
"Elevated Threat" is for warning of a "credible terrorist threat".
The new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) is designed to identify geographic areas, or likely targets. Plus, in answer to criticism that the old system didn't really tell people what to do, recommended steps will be provided in the new system. Individuals, communities, businesses, and government organizations would be given advice to help prevent, mitigate, or respond to a threat.
A "sunset" provision will be added to indicate when the alert level will expire. No longer will it remain at the same level for years.
A public guide for NTAS has been published here. In it, it shows how the alerts will be distributed to the public - through the DHS NTAS webpage, email sign-ups, social media, and various data feeds. Alerts will also be posted in public places.
Although for many of us it seems like it was created only a short while ago, the color-coded system has been around for ten years. It has been troublesome for many, and ridiculed by late-night comedians. But, as we blogged in 2009 after Tom Ridge's book unveiled the man who recommended the idea for the color-coded system, the system's creator said he had "no regrets" about it. Mike Byrne, now FEMA's National Incident Management Assistance Team leader (see recent article about Mike here), told us it was right for the times, never actually used the way it was envisioned, and that he was glad it was being modified.
We agree. It's about time.
All the best,
Rick
